July 14, 1998 -- San Francisco KIDS FIRST! The Coalition for Quality Childrens Media awarded Globalstages "Pinocchio" a quality childrens media endorsement.

Filmed by the BBC at Louisvilles Stage One Childrens Theatre, "Pinocchio" is the second release in Globalstages series of the worlds best childrens theatre. The companys previous releases include "Frankenstein" also by Stage One and "Cyrano" by Blauw Vier, a theater in Antwerp, Belgium.

The Coalition for Quality Childrens Media is a national non-profit organization that evaluates childrens videos, television, and CD-ROMs. Its KIDS FIRST! panel approves only a handful of high quality childrens programs and publishes the titles in an annual directory for parents, educators, and media distributors. Each title selected must meet the combined adult-kid jurys criteria of no gratuitous violence, no racial/gender bias, no condescension toward children, and no unsafe behavior.

Surpassing the coalitions criteria, Globalstages "Pinocchio" presents an innovative revisit of Carlo Collodis classic childrens story. Performed in the Italian Renaissance commedia dellarte style of theatre with vibrant sets and harlequinesque costumes, the play features an African American lead, Mr. Omar Morris, in the role of Pinocchio. Superb acting and original music by Scott Kasbaum make the play an unforgettable experience for children of all ages.

"Pinocchio" was also awarded a "Parents Choice Gold Award" by the Parents Choice Foundation and has received rave reviews in The Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, Video Business, and Video Librarian.

Giving "Pinocchio" 3 out of 4 stars in her childrens video review column, Dallas Morning News columnist Nancy Churnin wrote, "once the show begins, the skillful filming recalls the heights of BBCs wonderful old Masterpiece Theatre this time, crafted for kids, with enough depth for their adult companions to explore and enjoy."

Video Librarian also assigned 3 stars to Pinocchio, giving it a "highly recommended" review.

Globalstage travels the world to find the best professional childrens theatre available. Families can order the videos through a subscription, with a new release arriving every other month. Globalstage has just completed filming its fourth production based on Thomas Hardys, "Far From the Madding Crowd" by SNAP Peoples Theatre in London, due for release August 15.

For more information about Globalstage or to schedule an interview, please call Becca Britton at 1.888.324.5623; (415-217-5800 x221); email or visit www.globalstage.net.